US4338746A - Enhancement of flowering by flowering trees - Google Patents
Enhancement of flowering by flowering trees Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US4338746A US4338746A US06/234,743 US23474381A US4338746A US 4338746 A US4338746 A US 4338746A US 23474381 A US23474381 A US 23474381A US 4338746 A US4338746 A US 4338746A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- flowering
- tree
- season
- trees
- setting
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 230000017260 vegetative to reproductive phase transition of meristem Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 25
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 235000013399 edible fruits Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 230000012010 growth Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000565 sealant Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 5
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 244000144730 Amygdalus persica Species 0.000 description 4
- 244000070406 Malus silvestris Species 0.000 description 4
- 235000006040 Prunus persica var persica Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000011573 trace mineral Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000013619 trace mineral Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 2
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 235000005087 Malus prunifolia Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000011430 Malus pumila Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000015103 Malus silvestris Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 241000167854 Bourreria succulenta Species 0.000 description 1
- OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorus Chemical compound [P] OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Potassium Chemical compound [K] ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019693 cherries Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 copper Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035558 fertility Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000015181 infectious disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004060 metabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052698 phosphorus Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011574 phosphorus Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008635 plant growth Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052700 potassium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011591 potassium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000069 prophylactic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000003206 sterilizing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005728 strengthening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001225 therapeutic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910021654 trace metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G7/00—Botany in general
- A01G7/06—Treatment of growing trees or plants, e.g. for preventing decay of wood, for tingeing flowers or wood, for prolonging the life of plants
Definitions
- the effect has been noted as being caused by a copper wire by metallic copper pieces or a copper nail penetrating into the cambium layer.
- any wound in the cambium is a potential source of infection, it is desirable to use a sterile copper object and to sterilize the bark area before insert. Any suitable sterilizing agent such as alkanol may be used. It is also desirable, though not critical, to seal the wound around the copper insert with a suitable wound sealing agent.
- the commercially available pitch-based sealants are suitable for this purpose.
- the placement of the copper object is not critical. It does not matter whether it is placed in the main trunk or in a branch. The timing of the placement is, however, important. In the normal cycle of flowering and fruiting of a tree, foliage buds appear in the early spring and are followed shortly thereafter by the appearance of blossoms which flower briefly. After the flowering of the blossoms the plant begins to develop, reaching maturity between midsummer and late fall depending upon the nature of the fruit. At a certain time, particular to each species, between the time of flowering and the maturity of the fruit, the buds which will provide the blossoms during the coming season are set. These buda are referred to as the fruiting wood and the procedure is called the setting of the fruiting wood.
- the copper object in order to enhance the number of blooms for the subsequent year and decrease the number of buds giving rise to foliage, the copper object must be inserted at a time prior to the setting of the fruiting wood. Since it is somewhat difficult for one who is not a trained horticulturist to recognize the time of setting of the fruiting wood, it would be desirable to insert the copper object at any time between the time of maturity of the fruit two seasons prior to the desired enhanced season to a time just subsequent to the falling of the blossoms in the season immediately prior to that in which enhancement is desired. Similarly, where it is desired to reverse the process the copper object should be withdrawn at similar times.
- the method of the present invention can be utilized not only to enhance the flowering and fruit bearing of mature trees but it may also be employed to bring young fruit trees to bearing earlier than would normally be the case.
- the enhancement caused as set forth here in the past can be readily reversed by removing the copper object before the fruiting wood has set and therefore in the following season the tree will have its normal bloom to foliage ratio.
- a copper wire 0.75 mm ⁇ 10 cm was cut through the bark into the cambium of a crab apple tree. The foliage growth was negligible while the tree which normally blossomed very modestly was covered with blossoms in the subsequent season and loaded with crab apples.
- a peach tree which bore only one peach in a first season and no peaches in the next was treated by inserting three pieces of copper approximately one centimeter long by 0.075 centimeters thick axially through the bark thereof to a depth of ca 5 millimeters. In the following season the tree produced about 5" of new foliage wood growth in contrast to a normal ca 20" growth and 3/4 bushel i.e. about 40-50 peaches.
- apple trees, plum trees and cherry trees are caused to increase the fruiting yield.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Ecology (AREA)
- Forests & Forestry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Botany (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
Abstract
It has been found that the insertion of a copper object through the bark of the flowering tree prior to the setting of the fruiting wood of said tree will cause substantial enhancement of the flowering of said tree with consequent increase of fruit where produced, while limiting the growth of the foliage.
This effect is reversible in that removal of the copper object prior to the setting of the fruiting wood will return the tree to the normal ratio of flower and fruit to foliage.
Description
The influence of trace elements such as copper upon the metabolism of plants, in particular that of trees, has long been recognized but is by no means fully understood. It is well known that certain of these trace elements are essential for the normal growth of plants. A U.S. Pat. to Laing, No. 3,074,207, which is directed to a nail device comprising a coating of certain trace element salts including copper, is of special interest. The patent contains a broad summary of the then known literature on the influence of trace metal salts. It should be noted that Laing is concerned with the maintenance of normal growth in trees. An Italian Patent No. 422,275 to Biamino discusses the therapeutic effect of a bi-metallic penetrating object such as a nail upon vegetables, this bi-metallic nail always having copper as one of the components. While Biamino speaks of the desirability of the presence of copper, he does not apply his device to trees, neither does he allege any utility other than a prophylactic effect. U.S. Pat. No. 831,678 to Osborne speaks of the strengthening of the growth of trees by driving a combination of wires of different composition, copper and iron being illustrated, into the trunk of a tree and constructing the ends of the wires in such a manner that they would conduct atmospheric electricity into the body of the tree. Osborne does not mention any particular timing for the insertion of the wires. Neither does she appear to recognize any effect upon the flowering of the tree as a result of this treatment. A similar but more controlled electrical treatment system is disclosed by Keller in U.S. Pat. No. 3,120,722. It should be noted that where a tree grows in a high fixed nitrogen area, foliage growth is encouraged while in a high potassium or high phosphorus location flowering is encouraged.
It has been found that inserting a copper object into the portion of a flowering tree through which the sap passes, that is to say into the actual cambium layer, at a time prior to the setting of the fruiting wood for the next growing season will inhibit the growth seasons. The enhancement of blossoms leads to the increase in fruit-bearing of the tree. The process is entirely reversible if the embedded copper object is removed prior to the aforesaid setting time of the fruiting wood the tree will revert to its normal bloom/foliage relationship.
It has been found that the bloom and fruit/foliage relationship of a flowering or flowering and fruiting tree may be radically changed in favor of an increase in bloom and fruit by insertion of metallic copper into the tree. The amount of copper required does not generally appear to be critical. However, as stated heretofore abnormally high nitrogen encourages foliage growth over flowering. One test experiment involved an apple tree which is located in an area of fertility, i.e. high nitrogen run off. The observed increase in flowing was negligible. It is presumed that the high nitrogen concentration effect blanketed the copper effect.
The effect has been noted as being caused by a copper wire by metallic copper pieces or a copper nail penetrating into the cambium layer.
Since any wound in the cambium is a potential source of infection, it is desirable to use a sterile copper object and to sterilize the bark area before insert. Any suitable sterilizing agent such as alkanol may be used. It is also desirable, though not critical, to seal the wound around the copper insert with a suitable wound sealing agent. The commercially available pitch-based sealants are suitable for this purpose.
The placement of the copper object is not critical. It does not matter whether it is placed in the main trunk or in a branch. The timing of the placement is, however, important. In the normal cycle of flowering and fruiting of a tree, foliage buds appear in the early spring and are followed shortly thereafter by the appearance of blossoms which flower briefly. After the flowering of the blossoms the plant begins to develop, reaching maturity between midsummer and late fall depending upon the nature of the fruit. At a certain time, particular to each species, between the time of flowering and the maturity of the fruit, the buds which will provide the blossoms during the coming season are set. These buda are referred to as the fruiting wood and the procedure is called the setting of the fruiting wood.
It has been found that in order to enhance the number of blooms for the subsequent year and decrease the number of buds giving rise to foliage, the copper object must be inserted at a time prior to the setting of the fruiting wood. Since it is somewhat difficult for one who is not a trained horticulturist to recognize the time of setting of the fruiting wood, it would be desirable to insert the copper object at any time between the time of maturity of the fruit two seasons prior to the desired enhanced season to a time just subsequent to the falling of the blossoms in the season immediately prior to that in which enhancement is desired. Similarly, where it is desired to reverse the process the copper object should be withdrawn at similar times.
The method of the present invention can be utilized not only to enhance the flowering and fruit bearing of mature trees but it may also be employed to bring young fruit trees to bearing earlier than would normally be the case.
If it is desired to permit a tree to rest for one or more seasons, the enhancement caused as set forth here in the past can be readily reversed by removing the copper object before the fruiting wood has set and therefore in the following season the tree will have its normal bloom to foliage ratio.
A copper wire 0.75 mm×10 cm was cut through the bark into the cambium of a crab apple tree. The foliage growth was negligible while the tree which normally blossomed very modestly was covered with blossoms in the subsequent season and loaded with crab apples.
Upon removal of the wire before setting of the fruiting wood, the subsequent season's flowering and fruiting were about 5% of that observed in the season subsequent to copper insertion.
A peach tree which bore only one peach in a first season and no peaches in the next was treated by inserting three pieces of copper approximately one centimeter long by 0.075 centimeters thick axially through the bark thereof to a depth of ca 5 millimeters. In the following season the tree produced about 5" of new foliage wood growth in contrast to a normal ca 20" growth and 3/4 bushel i.e. about 40-50 peaches.
In accordance with the above procedure apple trees, plum trees and cherry trees are caused to increase the fruiting yield.
In accordance with the above procedure in place of using broken pieces of copper there may be employed copper nails.
Claims (5)
1. A process for enhancing the flowering of flowering trees and reducing the foliage growth thereof during a predetermined flowering season which comprises penetrating the cambium of said trees with a metallic copper object at a point in time subsequent to the flowering thereof in the season previous to said predetermined season but prior to the setting of the fruiting wood during said previous flowering season and leaving said copper object in place until at least after said setting time.
2. A process of claim 1 wherein the copper object is sterile.
3. A process of claim 1 wherein the bark of the tree proximate to the intended point of penetration is sterilized and subsequently sealed with a tree wound sealant composition.
4. A process according to claim 1 wherein the flowering trees are fruit bearing trees, whereby the fruit yield is increased.
5. A process of permitting a flowering tree whose flowering capacity has been enhanced by penetrating the cambium of said tree with a metallic copper object prior to the setting of the fruiting wood during a first flowering season previous to the next subsequent season to revert to regular flower/foliage relationship which comprises removing the said copper object prior to the setting of the fruiting wood for the flowering season for which such reversion is desired.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/234,743 US4338746A (en) | 1981-02-17 | 1981-02-17 | Enhancement of flowering by flowering trees |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/234,743 US4338746A (en) | 1981-02-17 | 1981-02-17 | Enhancement of flowering by flowering trees |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US4338746A true US4338746A (en) | 1982-07-13 |
Family
ID=22882620
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/234,743 Expired - Fee Related US4338746A (en) | 1981-02-17 | 1981-02-17 | Enhancement of flowering by flowering trees |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4338746A (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4663808A (en) * | 1983-11-30 | 1987-05-12 | Nsk Warner K. K. | Safety belt buckle |
| US5914295A (en) * | 1994-09-09 | 1999-06-22 | Lts Lohmann Therapie-Systeme Gmbh | Implantable molded articles for the administration of active substances to plants |
| CN103181287A (en) * | 2013-03-27 | 2013-07-03 | 中国农业科学院郑州果树研究所 | Technology for cultivating florescent large seedlings of peach protected cultivation |
| CN104488644A (en) * | 2015-01-08 | 2015-04-08 | 景泰县红砂岘生态农业有限公司 | Sandy land cherry off-season cultivation method |
| CN104982135A (en) * | 2015-08-05 | 2015-10-21 | 大连岭前农业专业合作社 | Cherry fertilizing method |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US831678A (en) * | 1906-04-25 | 1906-09-25 | Anna Osborne | Device for nourishing and strengthening the growth of trees. |
| US3074207A (en) * | 1959-04-20 | 1963-01-22 | Laing Robert Louis | Composition and device for treating trees |
| US3120722A (en) * | 1960-08-29 | 1964-02-11 | Charles R Keller | Plant treating system |
-
1981
- 1981-02-17 US US06/234,743 patent/US4338746A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US831678A (en) * | 1906-04-25 | 1906-09-25 | Anna Osborne | Device for nourishing and strengthening the growth of trees. |
| US3074207A (en) * | 1959-04-20 | 1963-01-22 | Laing Robert Louis | Composition and device for treating trees |
| US3120722A (en) * | 1960-08-29 | 1964-02-11 | Charles R Keller | Plant treating system |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| Micronutrients in Crop Vigor, Stout, Agricultural & Food Chem., vol. 4, No. 12, Dec. 1956, pp. 1000-1006. * |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4663808A (en) * | 1983-11-30 | 1987-05-12 | Nsk Warner K. K. | Safety belt buckle |
| US5914295A (en) * | 1994-09-09 | 1999-06-22 | Lts Lohmann Therapie-Systeme Gmbh | Implantable molded articles for the administration of active substances to plants |
| CN103181287A (en) * | 2013-03-27 | 2013-07-03 | 中国农业科学院郑州果树研究所 | Technology for cultivating florescent large seedlings of peach protected cultivation |
| CN103181287B (en) * | 2013-03-27 | 2015-05-20 | 中国农业科学院郑州果树研究所 | Technology for cultivating florescent large seedlings of peach protected cultivation |
| CN104488644A (en) * | 2015-01-08 | 2015-04-08 | 景泰县红砂岘生态农业有限公司 | Sandy land cherry off-season cultivation method |
| CN104982135A (en) * | 2015-08-05 | 2015-10-21 | 大连岭前农业专业合作社 | Cherry fertilizing method |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
| LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
| STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
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| FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 19860713 |